nounDate: 15701. a representation of an eagle with wings raised and legs extended
2. something resembling or suggestive of a spread eagle; specifically a skating figure executed with the skates heel to heel in a straight line

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spread-eagle — [spred′ē΄gəl] adj. 1. having the figure of an eagle with wings and legs spread ☆ 2. Informal boastful or jingoistic about the U.S. vt. spread eagled, spread eagling to stretch out in the form of a spread eagle, as for a flogging vi. to perform a… … English World dictionary

Spread eagle — Spread Spread, imp. & p. p. of {Spread}, v. [1913 Webster] {Spread eagle}. (a) An eagle with outspread wings, the national emblem of the United States. (b) The figure of an eagle, with its wings elevated and its legs extended; often met as a… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

spread-eagle — spread′ ea gle adj. v. gled, gling 1) having or suggesting the form of a spread eagle 2) lying with arms and legs outstretched 3) boastful or bombastic, esp. in the display of patriotic pride in the U.S 4) to stretch out in a spread eagle… … From formal English to slang

spread eagle — n. 1. the figure of an eagle with wings and legs spread, used as an emblem of the U.S. 2. something suggesting this, as an acrobatic figure in fancy skating … English World dictionary

spread-eagle — spread ea gle v. i. To assume a spread eagled position; it may be done reclining, for relaxation, or momentarily, as an exhibitionary maneuver in a sport. [PJC] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

spread-eagle — lit. splayed eagle, 1570, a heraldic term; the figure is that of the seal of the United States (hence spreadeagleism extravagant laudation of the U.S., 1858). Meaning person secured with arms and legs stretched out (originally to be flogged) is… … Etymology dictionary

spread-eagle — /sprɛd ˈigəl / (say spred eeguhl) adjective 1. having or suggesting the form of a spread eagle. 2. US Colloquial boastful or bombastic, especially in the display of patriotism or national vanity. –verb (spread eagled, spread eagling) –verb (t) 3 … Australian English dictionary

spread-eagle — I. verb ( eagled; spread eagling) Date: 1826 intransitive verb 1. to execute a spread eagle (as in skating) 2. to stand or move with arms and legs stretched out ; sprawl transitive verb 1. to stretch out into the position of a spread eagle … New Collegiate Dictionary